Should we burn/surrender Protestant bibles?

[FollowChrist34]

Burning religious items is actually considered a respectful method of disposal.

I would never burn a Bible. Or any book. I was taught to respect books. I read a King James Bible. If I don’t like a book I get from someone I give it away. Or to charity. I once buried a broken rosary. I heard somewhere that was ok. It felt weird though. Others I just keep in old boxes. (broken ones I mean) I’ve repaired them too. I would not mess with the word of God. I wouldn’t burn a Koran or Torah either. I actually think God would think I had gone soft in the head if I burned a recognized text by a major religion. The occult I don’t know - it would not break my heart if people burned that I will admit.

 

[Bonnie]

I would never burn a Bible. Or any book. I was taught to respect books. I read a King James Bible. If I don’t like a book I get from someone I give it away. Or to charity. I once buried a broken rosary. I heard somewhere that was ok. It felt weird though. Others I just keep in old boxes. (broken ones I mean) I’ve repaired them too. I would not mess with the word of God. I wouldn’t burn a Koran or Torah either. I actually think God would think I had gone soft in the head if I burned a recognized text by a major religion. The occult I don’t know - it would not break my heart if people burned that I will admit.

You might want to properly dispose of broken rosaries & old books. If they’re still around after you die, they are likely to be chucked in the garbage - depends on who cleans out your stuff.

 

[pensmama87]

Yes and no. It really depends on the context of the burning. For example, a scapular that is beyond threadbare and you shouldn’t just throw it out. I don’t think the Church would approve of say a KKK style cross burning.

Of course not.

But worn out or broken items should be burned or buried. Even books can reach that point with enough use.

 

[CivisRomanusSum]

Hi everyone! Thanks for the helpful and interesting responses!

I have a question though for those saying that the St. Pius X Catechism is no longer binding. Would you have any source on this?

I found this interview of then-Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI) suggesting that it may still be valid, in certain ways:

Q: Speaking of St. Pius X’s catechism, which continues to have sympathizers, will the publication of the compendium mean that it is definitively exceeded?

Cardinal Ratzinger: The faith, as such, is always the same. Therefore, St. Pius X’s catechism always retains its value. However, the way of transmitting the contents of the faith can change.

Consequently, one can ask if St. Pius X’s catechism can in this respect be regarded as still valid today. I think that the compendium we are preparing can respond better to today’s needs. But this does not exclude the fact that there can be persons or groups that feel more comfortable with St. Pius X’s catechism.

It should not be forgotten that that Catechism stemmed from a text that was prepared by the Pope himself [Pius X] when he was bishop of Mantua. The text was the fruit of the personal catechetical experience of Giuseppe Sarto, whose characteristics were simplicity of exposition and depth of content. Also because of this, St. Pius X’s catechism might have friends in the future. But this does not make our work superfluous.

You can find the full interview here: zenit.org/articles/cardinal-ratzinger-on-the-abridged-version-of-catechism/

Any thoughts on this?

 

[on_the_hill]

You don’t have to surrender it until Guy Montag shows up at your door.

 

[EricF]

This is a little off-topic but similar. I was in bed one Saturday a couple of weeks ago with broken ribs. There was a knock at my door. I ignored it. Later when I got up, stuck inside my door was a copy of The Watchtower. It was open to a directly anti-Catholic page. I chucked it to n the trash, but were it to happen again, I would have no trouble mailing it back to the local Kingdom Hall with a note explaining that their presence on my porch would henceforth be considered trespassing.

 

[Bonnie]

… but were it to happen again, I would have no trouble mailing it back to the local Kingdom Hall with a note explaining that their presence on my porch would henceforth be considered trespassing.

Better get one of those “No Soliciting” signs up first.

 

[pensmama87]

Better get one of those “No Soliciting” signs up first.

Yes.

Though in some places, JWs etc are exempt from solicitation laws because they are not technically selling a product. The same can apply to people collecting signatures or politicians.

I would imagine, due to the nature of their organization, JWs are very knowledgeable about what they are and are not allowed to do as far as door-to-door work in any given area.

 

[Bonnie]

Though in some places, JWs etc are exempt from solicitation laws because they are not technically selling a product. The same can apply to people collecting signatures or politicians.

I seem to recall some signs that include religious botheration. Don’t know if there’s any way we can exempt ourselves from the politickers.

 

[JM3]

Hi everyone! Thanks for the helpful and interesting responses!

I have a question though for those saying that the St. Pius X Catechism is no longer binding. Would you have any source on this?

I found this interview of then-Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI) suggesting that it may still be valid, in certain ways:

You can find the full interview here: zenit.org/articles/cardinal-ratzinger-on-the-abridged-version-of-catechism/

Any thoughts on this?

One must understand the difference between doctrine, which cannot be changed, and discipline, which can change with the times. One would remain valid, while the other would not. As Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said, " I think that the compendium we are preparing can respond better to today’s needs."
Of course, you can continue to use the St. Pius X Catechism, if you wish, but I think it would be better for you to use it as a reference with the current compendium.

 

[FollowChrist34]

This is a little off-topic but similar. I was in bed one Saturday a couple of weeks ago with broken ribs. There was a knock at my door. I ignored it. Later when I got up, stuck inside my door was a copy of The Watchtower. It was open to a directly anti-Catholic page. I chucked it to n the trash, but were it to happen again, I would have no trouble mailing it back to the local Kingdom Hall with a note explaining that their presence on my porch would henceforth be considered trespassing.

Well I think this is acceptable. I would have torn it into about 5 or 6 pieces and thrown it in the recycling. Probably would have enjoyed doing that a little bit too much. Think positive: with any luck they’ll convert to Catholicism and join CAF.

Seriously, I think where you live determines your level of mistrust and/or hostility toward your ‘fellow’ Christians. When I lived around Dutch reformed and Evangelical (small town, rural) when I was a kid I was actually quite paranoid and defensive about being a Catholic. I am now just because of liberal secularism (urban area) which is quite assertive on the West Coast. I see Protestants as my much (think desperate) needed allies these days. But again I think that is because of where I live.

 

[chasingcars]

If I want to read the Bible in my own language, I have to read translations made by Protestants because there’s no Catholic Bible in my language at all.
I have a Catholic Bible in English (RSV Catholic Edition) and Spanish (Biblia de Jerusalén Latinoamericana) but I find it more beneficial to read in my native language.

 

[Peter_J]

Should we burn Protestant bibles?

You mean you don’t already? I’m shocked.